Expert Building Design in Artarmon

Artarmon is a vibrant mix of residential charm and commercial convenience, with leafy streets, heritage cottages, and modern apartments all coexisting in harmony. Its location, just minutes from the Sydney CBD, plus excellent transport, schools, and green spaces, makes it one of the North Shore’s most desirable suburbs.

DMR Designs provides tailored building solutions in Artarmon that respect the suburb’s established character while ensuring compliance with City of Willoughby Council planning regulations.

We proudly serve Artarmon with designs that combine comfort, style, and practicality.

Why Choose DMR Designs for Building Design in Artarmon?

  • Family-Oriented Layouts: Homes created with functional flow and everyday living in mind.

  • Suburban Harmony: Designs that fit Artarmon’s streetscape and natural surroundings.

  • Compliance Expertise: Skilled in navigating City of Willoughby Council’s regulations.

  • Sustainable Practices: Incorporating energy-efficient features into every project.

  • Adaptable Spaces: Flexible designs for families, professionals, and downsizers.

Our Artarmon designs deliver a harmonious balance of style, practicality, and compliance tailored to this suburb.

City of Willoughby Council Requirements for Building in Artarmon

 

  • Zoning types

    • R2 Low Density Residential

    • R3 Medium Density Residential

    • B4 Mixed Use (in select areas near station and business district)

  • Setbacks

    • Front setbacks generally 4.5–6.0 m in residential zones

    • Side and rear setbacks vary by lot width and dwelling type

  • Typical lot sizes

    • Detached homes: 450–650 m²

    • Townhouse/duplex sites: 600–800 m²

  • Key constraints

    • Heritage conservation areas in parts of Artarmon

    • Tree preservation orders covering significant species

    • Height limits between 8.5–12 m depending on zoning

  • Utilities available

    • Fully serviced with water, sewer, electricity, gas, and NBN

Building in Artarmon demands designs that respect the suburb’s character while meeting all council standards.

For detailed council regulations and submission guidelines, visit the City of Willoughby Council website.

DA vs CDC: What’s Right for Your Artarmon Project?

Whether it’s a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), we’ll guide you in finding the fastest and most compliant approval pathway—anywhere in New South Wales.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand the difference:

DA (Development Application):

  • Required for developments in heritage areas, multi-dwelling housing, or projects outside CDC provisions.

  • Necessary when seeking variations to standard planning controls.

CDC (Complying Development Certificate):

  • Suitable for compliant single dwellings, duplexes, and small extensions.

  • Provides a faster approval process for straightforward builds meeting all controls.

Need help figuring out which route suits your site? We’ll assess your block and walk you through your options.

 

FAQs About Building Design in Artarmon

  • Yes, but any alterations must align with heritage conservation guidelines and may require a DA.

  • Yes, provided it complies with height limits, setback requirements, and any heritage restrictions.

  • They can, especially in R3 zoned areas, provided minimum lot sizes and council guidelines are met.

  • While we know the Willoughby area well, we also work across many suburbs within the City of Willoughby, including Chatswood, Castlecrag, Willoughby East, and more. Additionally, we are available for select projects up to 4 hours away from the City of Willoughby Council area.

  • Cost depends on the scope of your project. We’ll walk you through pricing during your discovery call so you know exactly what to expect.

Ready to take the next step?

From contemporary urban designs to specialized compliance plans, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

We’d love to hear about your Willoughby project and how we can assist.

Our Building Design Services in Artarmon

We offer customised building designs for homes, duplexes, and townhouses that suit Artarmon’s unique character and council requirements.
From initial concept to approval, we deliver compliance, quality, and design excellence.

What to Expect: Our Building Design Timeline

A step-by-step look at how we take your project from concept to council approval and beyond.

Every project starts with a discovery call and ends with council-approved, build-ready plans.

Here’s how we make it easy from start to finish:

Step 1 - Discovery Call

  • Let’s chat! We’ll have a quick call to understand your project and see how we can help.

Step 2 -Site Visit & Consultation (5–7 days)

  • We’ll meet at your site (or virtually), take a closer look, and discuss your vision in detail.

Step 3 - Fee Proposal (2 days)

  • You’ll get a clear, no-surprises proposal with the scope, timeline, and costs.

Step 4 - Concept Design (4 weeks)

  • We’ll create initial design ideas and layouts tailored just for you.

Step 5 - Design Development & Expert Coordination (2 weeks)

  • We’ll fine-tune the design and collaborate with any needed specialists (engineer, energy consultant, town planner, geo tech engineer, bushfire, heritage consultant, etc).

Step 6 - Final Adjustments (1 week)

  • We’ll polish everything and prepare the final drawings for submission.

Step 7 - Submission for Approval

  • We handle the council or certifier submission, so you’re ready for the next steps.

Want the full breakdown?

View our detailed process here.

From Plans to Reality: See How It All Comes Together

Explore our Artarmon portfolio to see homes crafted for lifestyle, compliance, and local charm.

Portfolio

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Home Designs

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Building in Artarmon requires expert planning and design—exactly what we provide.

Ready to Start Designing Your New Home in Artarmon?

We’re here to help you take the next step, whether you’re

starting fresh or upgrading your Willoughby home.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind. Book a discovery call or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

Not based in Artarmon?

DMR Designs proudly works with homeowners across the entire City of Willoughby area. From Chatswood and Castlecrag to Willoughby East and beyond, we bring the same personalized design approach to every project—no matter where you call home.